The Tradition and Possibility of Rational Choice Theory in Sociology

Abstract

     This paper constructs the tradition of rational choice theory in sociology and shows its possibility. I argue that rational choice theory has been a heresy in sociology because of its ignorance of formation process of preference and opportunity structure, but rational choice theory has also been a part of a vigorous sociological tradition to link micro and macro phenomena and to criticize society and propose policies through the concept of multiple rationality. Through this argument, I demonstrate that it is possible for various sociologists to communicate with one another by reconstructing sociological traditions.